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= = = Welcome to my wiki for Diffusions of Innovations/MEDT 8461! =
 * ** Suzanne Trice ** || ** Summer 2013 ** ||

** Introduction **
The goal of this course was to provide the background knowledge to understand the process in which an innovation diffuses. After understanding the key components of the process and key players, the next goal was be able to create and implement a plan to create change through the spread of new ideas and innovations. Each project revealed a new level to understanding the process of a successful diffusion of an innovation. I was given practice scenarios that will provide opportunities to replicate the process at my own school in order to foster growth in the use of social media as an instructional tool. The course focused on social media as the main innovation. The course took on different directions depending on the chosen topics (either self chosen or by direction of professor). Because the course allowed for individuality in regards to information researched and learned, I am able to add to my own position as an administrator and will be able to provide guidance for a current initiative of increasing technology use (social media and Web 2.0 tools). The standards of ISTE were met, descriptions of these standards are found at [].


 * =====Please explore the projects that were created in =====

description of each project.
|| || The following is a list of projects and how they relate to the objectives of this course. The information listed is not limited to only these projects supporting the objective but was a major contributor to understanding that individual objective. // Identify the elements and personnel involved in diffusing an innovation into a social system: // // Give examples of innovation diffusion in various systems and use diffusion theory principles to explain why each was successful or unsuccessful.: // // Compare and contrast current models of diffusion discussed in the education and social sciences literature. // // Identify characteristics of educators who are successful change agents. // // Develop a plan for integrating an innovative technology successfully into a school or district.: //
 * //Course Objectives://**
 * Discussions on readings from Rogers, Ellsworth and Gladwell in regards to people involved (Connectors), Innovators, Early Adopters, Early/Late Majority, Laggards),
 * Project 2 - Mapping process using the infograph technique showing the diffusion of an idea and the key people and elements to ensure a successful diffusion
 * Project 3 - explaining the best practices associated with the use of social media, identify key people needed
 * Project 1 and 5 - Referencing current research to support social media in regards to a specific topics and groups of individuals
 * Discussions on readings from Rogers, Ellsworth and Gladwell-postings on seeing actual examples in everyday life and within the educational setting
 * Project 3 - explaining best practices and challenges of social media tools through a persuasive speech called an elevator speech delivered through two separate podcasts
 * Discussions linking concepts, finding similarities and differences in the readings from Rogers, Ellsworth and Gladwell in regards to people involved and successful plan and implementation processes for diffusion of innovations
 * Project 1-Annotated bibliography created after researching peer-reviewed articles on a social media topic. Themes that emerge from this research were used to map out the spread of an idea.
 * Project 3- Research of best practices and challenges in regards to social media
 * Disussions on Gladwell, Rogers, Ellsworth
 * Project 1- Research on concept of social media trends - what is happening and why
 * Project 2- Mapping a concept from start to finish on implementing an idea in regards to social media

** Project Descriptions and Links to Projects **
The first project was to create an Annotated Bibliography of at least 10 research articles. The research revolved around gaining information in regards to some topic of my choice in regards to social media, citing relevant peer-reviewed articles, and providing a brief description of the articles authors, the findings and conclusion of the article. I chose the negative aspects of social media focusing on the need to find ways to educate students about cyber-bullying and digital citizenship/responsibility. I also focused on ways that schools can create and implement a plans to help educate students, parents and teachers on ways to combat cyber-bullying. Each article was read and reviewed, cited in APA 6th edition format and provided with an annotated bibliography. This material gather was later used in Project to create an infograph mapping the major concepts and themes in relationship to implementing a plan for a successful diffusion of a concept related to social media. Link to Project 1 - click HERE
 * Project 1 - Description **

The second project was to create an infrograph mapping the content of our class readings (Gladwell, Ellsworth and Rogers) as it aligned with content that I had researched and reported on our Annotated Bibliogaphy. After mapping the concepts, I created two different types of electronic mapping using two new applications using the same content in my had written ma. The two electronic tools I used were Prezi and Spicy Nodes. I included screen shots of each different type of mapping tool. I then wrote a reflection paper with an introduction, description and comparison of electronic tools, a reflection that included challenges faced with during the creation of all three types of mapping and a conclusion. Link to Project 2 - click HERE
 * Project 2 - Description **

The third project focused on creating a persuasive speech to show individual viewpoints on a specific topic chosen from three options provided by Dr. Danilo Baylen, professor at West the University of West Georgia. I chose to research current issues and challenges in implementing social media in education and best practices in regards to social media. After researching these topics, I created two separate transcripts to use to create two "elevator speeches." These speeches were delivered as podcasts that were created by using Audacity. Music was added to the beginning of the podcast and was phased out as the "speech" started. The purpose of this activity was to gather research and inform someone of my position in regards to the topics. A reflection paper was written that provided an introduction, reflection, lessons learned and conclusion. Link to Project 3 - click HERE
 * Project 3 - Description **

Project 4 was the collection of data that would be analyzed as part of the discussion and the research paper that was Project 5. A survey was created by Dr. Danilo Baylen, professor at the University of West Georgia to gather data in regards to social media. I printed surveys and randomly gave them to five people (immediate family, relative, friend/community or other), one from each age group: Because some of the information was not as complete as I wanted, I went back to a few of the participants and orally asked them to elaborate on information so I could enter more complete information. I then entered it into the survey link individually. This information was then entered into a spreadsheet for Dr. Baylen and he grouped data based on age brackets. Data was then grouped by age group and Dr. Baylen provided a spreadsheet with specific data in regards to a age group. I had posted my preference in regards to what group I wanted my Project 5 to focus on, the teen group was assigned to me for Project 5. I wrote a reflection paper that included information including an introduction, selection of interviewees, interview experience, lessons learned, advice to future students and a conclusion. Link to Project 4 - click HERE
 * Project 4 -Description **
 * Teen - ages 19 and younger
 * Young Adult- ages 20-29
 * Adult - ages 30-45
 * Midlifer - ages 46-59
 * Senior-age 60 and older

This project was a collaborative effort with my partner, Ashleigh Clarke. The task was to create a research paper based on the data that was collected through the surveys in Project 4. The group of participants were 21 students between the ages of 13/14-19. These students were randomly picked to complete a survey about social media uses that was created by Dr. Danilo Baylen, Professor at the University of West Georgia. We were to review research from Project 1- Annotated Bibliography and research gathered from Discussion 4 and create a literature review of student uses of social media and social media trends. From that literature review, we created two research questions (mixed methods design - one quantitative and one qualitative) and answered these questions based on the data collection. After we answered the questions we found and reported the key findings of the research as well as implications and future questions that emerged as a result of the research. Individually, we are wrote a reflection paper of the project. Link to Project 5 - click HERE
 * Project 5 - Description **

** Reflections and Conclusions **
Overall, I really enjoyed this class. It was very well organized and I feel like I got a really good understanding of how to create and implement a plan that will lead to a successful diffusion of an innovation, in this case social media. Many of the projects provided an opportunity to research the current literature about social media. I was able to apply the readings for discussion posts that were diffusion theories with current research and apply it to initiatives that I am proposing in order to move technology forward at my school and in in my current position. // Please review each individual project for an overall conclusion and reflection on each component of the course. //

About the Author
Suzanne Trice is an Associate Dean at Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire, about 35 minutes north of Boston. Her teaching experience was teaching social studies where she taught both middle and high school outside of Atlanta, Georgia in Cobb County. While teaching, she enjoyed differentiated teaching techniques and became very interested in integrating technology into her classes. After 12 years of teaching, Suzanne moved to New Hampshire, a place where she vacationed since she was 9 years old. She has had the opportunity at Pinkerton Academy to share her knowledge about technology in many different ways including writing a social media policy for both students and teachers, chairs the Technology Integration committees, and planned a Technology Workshop day for 300 staff members showcasing 18 different Web 2.0 and social media tools. It is her desire to continue her education in technology so that she can continue to provide professional development for teachers in the area of technology integration into their classroom teaching. Suzanne would like to also take her leadership experience and work in higher education working with pre-service teachers in the use of technology in education. For a personal narrative, please click on : media type="file" key="MEDT8461_introduction_Trice.wav" width="300" height="50" The purpose of this narrative is to get additional information about the current doings of the author.